Emitting light without combustion or perceptible heat — glowing after being exposed to radiation or light.
From Greek phosphoros (light-bearer), from phos (light) + pherein (to bear). Same root as Lucifer (Latin light-bearer) and photograph (light-writing). The element phosphorus was named for its eerie glow when exposed to air.
Phosphorescent, Lucifer, and photograph all mean the same thing: carrying or bearing light. The morning star, a glowing chemical element, and a camera all share an etymology about light being transported. Every bright word is the same word.
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